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J. N. GLOUSE. STREET LETTER B0X.

Patented Aug. 3l,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH N. OLOUSE, OE ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR, BY DIREOT AND MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, To HARRY R. WADE, GEORGE H. GRAY, SOLOMON- O. WYNN, AND ROSA A. WADE, OE TOLEDO, OHIO, AND ALIOE o. NORRIS, ANNIE RIDENOUR, JULIET KING, VIRGINIA S. OARPENTER,WILLARD A. HOLOOMB, MARTHA G. BROOKE-'AND SOOTT o. BONE, OE WASHINGTON, DISTRIOT OE COLUMBIA. L

SPECIFICATION 'forming part of Letters Patent No. 589,074, dated August s1, 189'?.

' Appleman Het october 30,1896. seria 110.610,602. (No modell) To all whom it may concern: 1 designates a substantially rectangular Be it known that I, JOSEPH N. CLOUSE, a letter-box having a curved top and constructeitizen of the United States, residing at St. ed of 'any suitable metal, preferably sheet- Louis, in the State of Missourhhave invented `steel, joined together by rivets or other suit- 5o 5 a new and useful Street Letter-Box, of which; able fastening devices. A door 2, Which is the following is a Specification. arranged at the front of the letter-box, is The invention relates to improvements in hinged at its lower edge to the bottom of the street letter-boxes; j 'same and is provided at its side edges with The object of the present invention is to quadrant-shaped plates 3, adapted to pre- 55 Io improve the construction of that class of letvent Inail from falling off the hinged door ter-boxes which are'designed for the use of when the latter is open and forms a shelf. the United States Inail and to provide a sim- The door is provided with a time-oard-receivple', inexpensive, and efficient one which will ing opening 4, and it has Suitable Ways 5 at meet all the requirements of the Post Oflice its inner face to receive such time-card, and 6o I 5 Department, such as dust-proof, waterproof, the ways are open at the top and form a burglar-proof, and tlielike, and which Ywill pocket. The card is adapted to bear the time be convenient to operate in depositingletters of collection of` Inail and such other informainto it and removing the Inail from it. tion desired by the Post Office Department.

A further object of the invention is to pro- The front of the letter-box is provided ata 65 2o vide simple and effective means for regulatlpoint above the door with a horizontal rib 6, ing the size of the receiving-opening-to adapt havingaslightly-inclined upper edge adapted the box for receiving letters only or for the to shed water and to prevent the same from reception of larger packages, such as newspercolating through the door or the card-repapers. v ceiving opening, thereby rendering the let- 7o 2 5 The invention consists in the construction ter-box rain-'proof at that point.

and novel combination and arrangement of The upper portion of the front of the letterparts hereinafterfully described, illustrated box is provided with a receiving-opening 12, in the accompanying drawings, and pointed and is slightly bulged or extended outward at' out inthe claims hereto appended. 13 at the lower side ofthe opening, and a hood 75 3o In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective or casing 14, which is formed integral with an view of a streetletter-box constructed in acupper Section 14 of the letter-box, the latter cordance with this invention. Fig. 2 isaverconsisting of a body portion or lower section tical sectional view taken transversely of the and a curved top 14", which iS arranged upon letter-box, the swinging cover being closed. the upper edges ofthe lower section or body. v8o 3 5 Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional View of the up- The upper section 14, which forms a portion per portion of theV letter-box, the Swinging of the casing 14, iits snu`glyv'itl1in the body cover heilig open. Fig. 4 is a vertical longi-y portion or lower Secti'onand is rectangular to tudinal sectional vie'wof'the upper portion of conform to the configuration thereof. The the letter-box.v Fig. 5 is a detail perspective Sections of the letter-box are rivetedor other- 8 5 4o view. Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of wise secured together.

the pivoted plate. Fig.- 7v is a detail view of lThe hood or casing 14 is composed of-an inthe adjusting device. Fig. S is a detail view clined top portion 15, vertical Sides 16,'-a back of the screw and thumb-nut. 17, and a front portion 18, which is curved to Like numerals of reference designate oorpresent an inner concave 'face and which 'is 9o 45 respondingpartsin all the figureso'f` the drawprovided with a'curved flange or lip 19, ar-

Ings. ranged at the bottom of the receiving-opening 12 and extending forward from the hood or easing to the front of the letter-box. The back 17 inelines forward and downward to direct mail toward the door of the letter-box to facilitate its removal. rlhe inclined top portion 15, the vertical sides 16, and the back 17 preferably consist of a separate piece of sheet metal secured to and carried by the upper section of the letter-box, and the front portion 18 of the casing is formed by the front wall of the upper section 14, 1f desired, the entire casing can be constructed separate from the body of the letter-box and suitably mounted therein.

A rectangular plate 20 is pivotally mounted within the hood or casing between the sides thereof, and it is provided at its top or front portion with a depending curved iiange 21, which extends across the entrance or receiving opening 12 when the letter-box is closed and when the plate 20 is in a vertical position. The pivots of the plate 20, which forms a guard or shield, are located adjacent to the top or upper end of the same, whereby the plate is adapted to assume its vertical position automatically by gravity. The curved ange of the plate 20 renders the letter-box burglar-proof when the swinging cover 22 is substantially closed, and it prevents letters from being extracted from the letter-box by means ot' any instrument or device introduced through the receiving-opening. The swinging cover, which is an ordinary drop-lid, is hinged at its upper edge to the letter-box at the top of the receiving-opening and is adapted to drop by gravity to its closed position, and it is provided at its top with a pair of inwardly-extending arms 23. The arms 23 are located above the hood or casing when the cover is closed, and they are connected with the pivoted plate 2O by links 24,`whieh are disposed at an inclination and which have their lower ends connected with the lower edge of the curved ange 2l, and when the swinging cover is raised the lower portion of the pivoted plat-e will be swung upward to a position substantially parallel with the top of the hood or easing, whereby a letter-receiving chute or receptacle is provided, the plate 20 forming a movable'body therefor.

The inner end of the receptacle or chute is formed by the forwardly-inclined back 17 of the hood or easing, and said back wall is directly on a line with the mail-receiving opening, whereby it is absolutely impossible to obtain access to the interior of the body portion of the letter-box when the swin gin g cover is open. As soon as the swinging cover closes the pivoted plate swings to a perpendicular position and deposits the mail into the letterbox. The parts return to their initial position by gravity, and no springs are necessary to insure their operation.

In order to regulate the size of the receiving-opening to adapt theletter-boX for letters only or for larger packages, such as newspapers, an adjusting device 25 is mounted upon the hood or casing, and consists of an inclined plate and the curved lange 2G, depending from the upper or front end of the plate and interposed between the top of the hood or easing and the upper edge or portion of the movable cover. The lower end of the adjusting device is provided with an eye which is arranged between perforated lugs and between the hood or casing, and the pivot orpintle 27, which connects the adjusting device to the hood or easing, passes through both lugs and the said eye. The body portion or plate of the device is provided with a keyhole-opening 28, in the contracted portion of which is engaged a thumb-nut 30, which is mounted on a screw 3l. The screw 3l is hinged at its inner or lower end to the hood or casing and extends through the keyhole-opening of the adjusting device, and the thumb-nut is provided with an annular groove 32. The grooved portion of the thumb-nut is of a size to pass through the enlarged portion of the keyholeopening, and the groove permit-s the nut to be moved downward into the contracted portion of the keyhole-opening to swivel the nut to the adjusting device. By adjusting the nut the flange 26 may be moved to or from the rib 1U to vary the size of the receiving-opening and partially close the mouth or entrance of the hood or easing. The flange 26 is provided with a series of transverse slots 2G, through which project a corresponding series of arms 22, and the latter extend inward from the upper edge of the swinging cover and serve as guides for the adjusting device.

It will be seen that the mail-box is simple and comparatively inexpensive in construction, that it is positive and reliable in operation, and that it is adapted to be readilymanipulatcd by one hand in depositing letters or packages into it and in removing mail from it. It will also be apparent that the letter-box is dust-proof and waterproof, that it will prevent letters from being extracted through its receivin g-openin g when the cover is opened or closed, and that t-he said receiving-opening may be adjusted to permit letters only to be inserted in the box or to adapt the latter for the reception of larger packages, such as newspapers.

Changes in the form, proportion, and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principle or saerifieing any of the advantages of the invention.

Vhat I claim isl. In a device of the class described, the combination of a letter-box provided at its front with a receiving-opening and having an ordinary drop-lid or cover, a hood rigidly mounted within the letter-box and comprising an inclined top arranged in direct alinement with the upper boundary of the said opening, and a back disposed opposite the receiving-opening, and a pivoted plate connected with and operated by the lid or cover and arranged to swing to a position in direct IOO alinement with the lower boundary of the receiving-opening, whereby a box or chute is provided to prevent access to the interior of the letter-box when the lid or cover is open and also to form a receptacle for mail, substantially as described.

2. In a device ofthe class described, the combination of a letter-box provided at its front with a letter-receivin g opening and with a door, an ordinary drop-lid or cover hinged to the top of the letter-box at .the receivingopening, a hood rigidly mounted within the letter-box and comprising an inclined top extending downward from the upper boundary of the receiving-opening, and a forwardly-inclined back arranged opposite the receivingopening and disposed in the direction of the door of the letter-box to direct mail toward the same to facilitate its removal from the box, and a pivoted plate connected with and operated by the lid or cover and cooperating with the hood to form a box or chute when the lid or cover is open, substantially as described.

3. In a device ot' the class described, the combination of a letter-box provided with a receiving-opening, a hood rigidly mounted within the box and comprising an inclined top arranged in direct alinement with the upper boundary of the opening and terminating short of the back of the box, and a forwardly-inclined back extending toward the front of the box and disposed opposite the opening, a pivoted plate mounted in the letter-box at the open bottom of the hood and arranged to swing upward to close the same and form a boxor chute, and an ordinary drop-lid mounted at the receiving-opening and connecte'dwith and operating the pivoted plate, substantially as described.

4. In a device of the class described, the combination of a box having a receivingopening, a hood or casing mounted within the box, apivoted plate arranged withinv the hood or casing and adapted to form a shield, a movable cover mounted on the -box and connected with and actuating the pivoted plate, and an adjusting device mounted on the hood or casing and extending between the same and the cover to vary the' size of the receiving-opening, substantially as described.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination of a box havin ga receiving-opening, a movable cover, a casing mounted within the box, a movable plate forming a shield and connected with the cover, an adjusting device composed of a plate mounted on the casing and a ange arranged between the casing.

and the cover, and means vfor securing the plate in its adjustment, substantially as ,de-

scribed.

6. In a device of the class described, the combination of a box having an opening, a casing mounted within the box, an adjusting device comprising a hinged plate provided with a keyhole-slot and mounted on the cas` ing, and a flange arranged to vary the size of the opening of the box, a screw hinged to the casing and extending through the keyholeopening, and a grooved nut arranged on the screw and engaging the keyhole-slot, substantially as described.

7. In a device of the class described, the combination of a letter-box provided with a receiving-opening, a hood or casing arranged within the box and comprising an inclined top portion, vertical sides, a forwardly-inclined back portion terminating short of the front edges of the sides, and the curved front portion provided with a flange or lip located at the bottom of the receiving-opening, a pivoted plate mounted in the casing or hood and provided at its top with a curved flange arranged adjacent to the curved front of the hood or casing, and a hinged cover connected with and operating the pivoted plate, substantially as described.

8. In a device of the class described, the combination of a box having a receiving-opening, a movable cover provided with a series of inwardly extending arms, a casing arranged wit-hin the box, a movable plate forming a shield and connected with the cover, and an adjusting device mounted on the hood or casing, extending between the same and the cover to vary the size of the receivingopening and provided with a series of slots receiving the said arms, substantially as described.

9. In a device of the class described, the combination of a box provided at its front with a mail-receiving opening, a stationary hood or casing arranged within the box and communicating with the said opening, said hood or casing comprising essentially an upper wall the former extending rearward from the upper boundary of the mail-receiving opening' and a back wall, the latter being on a direct line with the same Vso as to obstruct communication with the interior of the box, and means connected with the cover to form a movable bottom for the hood or casing to direct mail-matter to the bottom of the box, substantially as described.

10. In a device of the class described, the combination ot a box having a receiving-opening, a movable lid or cover, a hood or casing arranged within the box and arranged to form a space between it and the receiving-opening, a movable plate forming a shield and connected with the lid or cover, and an adjusting device mounted on the hood or casing and extending into the space between the same and the receiving-opening to vary the size of the latter and partially close the mouth or entrance of the hood, substantially as described. In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

, JOSEPH N. CLOUSE. 'Witnessesz Y JoHN F. McMAHoN, ARTHUR J. RYAN. v

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